It was Spain’s official entry for the foreign language Oscar, but it didn’t make the shortlist of nine films that will be cut down to the final five when nominations are announced next week. (And that award is most likely to go to either France’s The Intouchables or Austria’s Amour.) But check out this trailer for Blancanieves. It’s a take on the Snow White legend, but set in 1920′s Seville and centered on a female bullfighter.)

I have not seen the movie and don’t know when and if it will open here in the U.S. outside major cities, but it is striking and seductive to look at and the flamenco-heavy score is lovely. It would seem a a no-brainer to give this one at least a limited release: shot in gorgeous black-and-white and a silent throwback to moviemaking of old, it is the very definition of this year’s The Artist (last year’s best foreign language AND best film Oscar winner, in case you forgot); and it would fit right in with the current obsession with Grimm’s poisoned apple-eating heroine (see Mirror, Mirror, Snow White and the Huntsman, TV’s Once Upon a Time).

Blancanieves nabbed a couple awards at the San Sebastián International Film Festivaland inspired Roger Ebert to call it “full-bodied,” “visually stunning” and “a wonderment” after seeing it at theToronto International Film Festival. Let’s hope we get a chance soon. (Although animal rights activist would surely be out in full force as they have been overseas decrying the film’s “promotion” and “glamorization” of what they consider a barbaric sport.)